Vic: Nursing home CEO hits back at minister

AAP General News (Australia)
04-25-2007
Vic: Nursing home CEO hits back at minister

The management of a Melbourne nursing home where five elderly residents died after
an outbreak of illness over Easter .. have attacked the federal Minister for Ageing ..

CHRISTOPHER PYNE.

Mr PYNE says the deaths at Broughton Hall from suspected gastroenteritis could be linked
to 12 areas where the home had breached health and safety standards .. identified in a
report he released yesterday.

Twenty-one residents have fallen ill with gastroenteritis-like symptoms at the nursing
home .. managed by Anglican Church agency Benetas .. and eight of those have been diagnosed
with salmonella poisoning.

Benetas chief executive SHARON CALLISTER yesterday afternoon said there's no evidence
to date the residents died of gastroenteritis or salmonella .. or that the deaths are
related to any lack of care at Broughton Hall .. and it's up to the coroner .. not the
minister to determine the cause of death.

The nursing home has seven days to make a written submission in response to the report.

AAP RTV jrd/rh

KEYWORD: HOME (MELBOURNE)

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